How gunmen unleashed hell on Ugboju, killed scores in early morning attack on Idoma community 

No fewer than 14 persons have been killed after suspected armed herders launched a deadly early morning attack on Efeyi community in Ugboju District of Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State, in what has become the latest wave of violence to hit Benue South.

IDOMA VOICE gathered that the attackers reportedly stormed the community at about 5:00 a.m. on Tuesday, opening fire on residents and farmers before fleeing after nearly four hours of carnage.

Several others sustained injuries, while hundreds of residents fled neighbouring communities for fear of further attacks.

Residents lamented the delayed response of security agencies, alleging that soldiers and police stationed in nearby Ugboju and Ogobia failed to intervene while the attack lasted.

“The current situation in Efeyi Ugboju is pathetic. The attack started around 5 a.m. and till after 9 a.m. there was no response from the security agencies,” a resident said.

Otukpo Local Government Chairman, Maxwell Ogiri, confirmed the attack, describing it as another unprovoked assault allegedly carried out by suspected Fulani militia.

“There was no provocation. They came only to shed blood and kill innocent people. The people are afraid, and residents of neighbouring communities are fleeing for safety,” he said.

Ogiri disclosed that at least 14 bodies had been recovered while several injured victims were receiving treatment at the Federal University Teaching Hospital, Otukpo.

The latest killings come barely 24 hours after three persons were murdered in separate attacks on communities in neighbouring Ohimini Local Government Area, underscoring the worsening security situation across Benue South.

Journalists vow to boycott police activities

Meanwhile, journalists under the aegis of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Benue State Council, have vowed to boycott all activities of the Benue State Police Command.

The decision followed what the journalists described as repeated acts of intimidation, harassment and assault of media practitioners by police personnel while carrying out their legitimate duties.

The chapel is expected to formally communicate its position to the police authorities while demanding accountability over the alleged mistreatment of journalists.

Abba Moro blames Alia

Reacting to the deteriorating security situation in the state, Senate Minority Leader and Senator representing Benue South, Abba Moro, accused Governor Hyacinth Alia of concentrating power in his office instead of empowering government officials to respond effectively to emergencies.

Speaking on Democracy Today, a programme on the African Independent Television (AIT), Moro alleged that the governor was “running Benue like a church where instructions come from only one person.”

According to the senator, commissioners and other appointees lack the authority and resources to act independently during emergencies.

He cited instances where government officials allegedly made token donations to internally displaced persons (IDP) camps, arguing that the governor had failed to empower them to respond to humanitarian crises.

Police, Alia react

The Benue State Police Command confirmed the attack, describing it as a cattle rustling operation that turned deadly after armed bandits opened fire on farmers while escaping with about 20 rustled cattle.

Police spokesperson, DSP Orchia Peter Aondongu, said 13 persons were confirmed dead, while tactical teams launched a coordinated operation led by Commissioner of Police Cletus Nwadiogbu.

According to the command, two suspected bandits were killed during a gun battle, while an AK-47 rifle and 15 rounds of ammunition were recovered.

The police said the operation was ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects and recover the stolen cattle.

Governor Hyacinth Alia also condemned the attack, vowing that those responsible “will pay” for killing innocent residents.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Tersoo Kula, the governor commended the police for neutralising two suspected attackers and assured residents that his administration would continue supporting security agencies to restore peace across the state.